The Far Hills Racing Meeting, also known as the ‘Hunt’, is an annual steeplechase horse race hosted in mid-October. This year the Hunt occurred on Saturday, October 19th.
The Far Hills Racing Meeting originated from the Essex Hunt, a fox-hunting event that was established in Montclair in 1870. This tradition sprouted from these clubs presenting this event as a ‘thank you’ for letting farmers and landowners use their land to hunt.
Since the 1950’s, The Far Hills Racing Meet has had a history of raising money for charitable organizations. Having raised more than $17 million through 2009, the races have greatly impacted the medical center’s growth by providing money for new equipment and medicines and the ability to offer state-of-the-art medical services.
The Far Hills Racing Meeting had seven races occur, with money guaranteed for each: Harry E. Harris Stake ($50,000), The Gladstone ($50,000), Foxbrook Champion Hurdle Stakes ($75,000), Appleton Hurdle Stakes ($50,000), John Forbes Memorial Stakes ($100,000), The Grand National ($250,000), and The Sport of Kings Maiden Hurdle Run in the memory of the late John von Stade ($50,000).
The horse Ljay, ridden by Parker Hendriks, won the Harry E. Harris Stake. The Insider, ridden by David Russell, won the Gladstone. The horse named Ted Hasting, ridden by David Russel, won the Foxboro Champion Hurdle. Redicean, ridden by Sean Flanagan, won the Appleton Hurdle Stakes. Agitare, ridden by Bernard Dalton, won the John Forbes Memorial Stakes. Hewick, ridden by Jordan Gainford, won the Grand National. Lastly, Cook Jet, ridden by Graham Watters, won the Sport of Kings Maiden Hurdle Run.
The ‘Hunt’ has always been a major social event in the tri-state area with as many as 75,000 people attending annually. People put on their best fall attire and ready their cars for tailgating.
The Macpherson Family have been going for decades and they voice “The races have been a place for my family and friends to get together and make new memories and spend the day tailgating and enjoying the races together”. Not only is it a family tradition, but many students especially from BHS attend the hunt as well. This year Bernards High School students had a spot where they could gather and enjoy the races together.
Kaylin Burns, a junior here at BHS, says “It was fun to see all of my school friends together in one place and it was definitely a memorable experience”.
Overall the hunt is a memorable experience and a place for family and friends to spend quality time together and enjoy the races. The ‘Hunt’ will always be a tradition within New Jersey families and a meaningful charitable event.
